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Subject: TWL: Re: Boat Move Galveston to Kentucky Lakes via the Tenn-Tom
From: Jean & Michael (jdmw@XXX.XXX)
Date: Tue Dec 17 2002 - 18:36:47 EST
> I will be moving a 38' trawler from Galveston, TX to the Kentucky Lakes
Region
> via Mobile and the Tombigbee Waterway
Frank- We made the trip from Kentucky Lakes to Demopolis, Al last fall
'01and
left our boat there for repairs. Going upriver to the dams like Barkley and
Pickwick our 8 mph dropped to 2 as we approached the locks. One of the
reasons we did not stay in the Kentucky Lakes where we hauled out was to get
ahead of the foul winter weather including ice storms the locals talked
about
Returning Christmas day, we left the 26th for the 235 statute mile trip to
the Grand Mariner Marina on the Dog River off Mobile Bay. There is no fuel
and very limited cell phone coverage. Be sure to calculate your fuel flow
accurately and conservatively allowing for going against the current. Speed
over the bottom is greatly diminished There were rains earlier in the month,
the water level at Demopolis was about 9 feet higher than when we left and
it had been several feet higher the week before. Even
above the lock & dam at Demopolis there was a fair current, but the current
below was STRONG. Seems like we did about 8 mph hour just coasting. There
are also a few more locks & dams on the way to Mobile that you will have to
come up thru. There can be a lot of water against you trying to get to the
Gulf, with a lot of debris like trees above & below the surface.
Guess on the plus side, once you get above the Black Warrior River
near Demopolis the current lessens.
Another thing about the locks is that they are not on your schedule. We
waited up to 4 hours and once had to wait
overnight as did not want to exit a lock in the dark then try to find an
anchorage. And watch that North wind. We had it at 25-30 on the Ohio River
out of Louisville and that head wind is really tough looking down the river
5 miles
with a 2-3 ft chop to the next bend where we would turn out of it. When we
left Demopolis the
low temp was 22 and mid 40's in the day. That did not change much the week
we were in Mobile and
the North wind just screamed down us. It started to snow New Years Day, but
we
were home then.
With only 16 days, I suggest preplanning several locations to leave your
boat in the event you do not make it as far as you want. BTW- We found Fred
at the Demopolis Yacht Basin and Willie at the Grand Mariner great guys and
recommend both facilities if you need to leave your boat there.
The Army Corps charts are good and can be bought along the way. Just be
sure to get the most current editions.
Feel free to email me off list if you want any more info or phone 530
477-0151.
Michael Wilkie
Grass Valley, Cal.
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